Accessibility Links

Libyan militias give up weapons — and get chance to win an iPad

George Grant

October 1 2012, 1:01am, The Times

Thousands of small arms and heavy weapons were surrendered to the Libyan Army at the weekend by militias and citizens galvanised by recent unrest across the country. Kalashnikovs, anti-aircraft guns and rocket-propelled grenades were delivered by lorry in Tripoli to the sounds of a military marching band, pop music and a commentary over a loudspeaker keeping tally of the handover.

There were similar scenes in Benghazi, where the US Ambassador to Libya and three of his staff were killed in an assault that Washington believes was an orchestrated terrorist attack.

Every man handing over weapons was named over a loudspeaker amid cheers of “God is Greatest” and their names went into a draw to win one of the Hyundai hatchbacks, flatscreen televisions and iPads on…